- Date Of Birth: September 28, 1924
- Date Of Death: September 18, 2018
- State: Georgia
Jane Estelle Smith Keith, age 93 passed away Tuesday, September 18, 2018 in Newnan, Georgia. Jane was born on September 28, 1924 in Attapulgus, Ga to the late Drane Dupont Smith and Sarah Elizabeth Daughtry. Along with her parents, Jane was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence William Keith, Jr. and daughter Sarah Elizabeth Shepherd. Also preceded her were her brother’s James Smith, Julian Smith, and George Smith, nephews Drane Smith and James “Jimmy” Smith. She is survived by sister Helen Woodward; children Lawrence W. Keith, III (Joyce) and Mary Virginia Keith. Grandchildren Pat Shepherd (Selina) , Robert Shepherd, Nathaniel Keith, and Mathew Keith(Erin) and Great Gandchild Caroline Elizabeth Keith. She was also very close to her nieces and nephews Sarah Ward, Judy Davis, Bill Smith(Cynthia), George Woodward (Nonnie) Bill Woodward(Penny), Jennie Smith, George Smith (Isabelle). Jane attended Montreat College in North Carolina and graduated in 1943. She continued her education attending GSCW in Milledgeville majoring in Home Economics and Dietetics. She taught school for a year before moving to College Park to work for Delta Airlines. During the five years working for Delta she met Lawrence W. Keith, Jr. and in December of 1949 they married and moved to Newnan. Jane grew up in Attapulgus attending the Methodist church but joined the Central Baptist Church in September 1950. The church became the center and strength of her life. Jane served as President of the WMU, and taught Sunday school classes for 14 years in various departments. She also served on the grounds committee, flower committee and volunteered on Mondays in the church office. Jane was extremely active in the Newnan community, serving as a Girl Scout leader and in the Newnan Service League. In 1975 she was appointed to the Parks Committee and served until her death. Jane served as Pink Lady and Grey Lady at the Newnan Hospital from 1961-1991. Jane loved flowers and had a passion for gardening and flower arranging. She worked for Arthur Murphy Florist from 1956 to 1960. She was an active member of the Driftwood Garden Club for over 50 years, and served as President for 3 years. Jane loved sports, playing basketball in high school but found her true passion to be golf in the 1960’s. She loved her golf buddies and helped raise money for cancer with the Carolyn Manos golf tournament. Jane was responsible for organizing the West Georgia Ladies Golf Association in 1980 and served on the Georgia Senior Women’s board for 12 years. After suffering from cancer, golf became difficult, so her next love became bridge. She had played for years in her social circles but decided to take up Duplicate Bridge. She worked hard to gain her Life’s Masters in Bridge. Throughout Jane’s life she was known for her excellent cooking skills. She was a private caterer out of her home for many years. In 2011 she published her own cookbook which brought her so much joy sharing her recipes from years of cooking for family and friends. In Jane’s own words she said, “I had a wonderful life and the Lord has blessed me in so many ways. Without my faith in the Lord I could have never carried on”.
